Shoe-heel protector.



P. S. TUCKER & F. M. LAXTON.

SHOE HEEL PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR.25,1911.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

l/VVENTORS' W/INESSES UNITED srarns rarer-tr rates.

FRANK s. TUCKER AND FRED IVI. LAXTON, or CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.

SHOE-HEEL PROTECTOR.

esters.

Application filed April 25, 191.1.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK S. TUCKER and F RED M. IJAXTON, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Charlotte, in the county of Mecklenburgand State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Shoe-Heel Protectors, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of our invention is to produce a shoe heel protectorconsisting of an antislip and anti-noise insert for treads, comprisingmetals of different degrees of hardness and resonance and arranged inparallel relation.

It is desirable in devices of this character to not only provide a wearresisting surface in treads, but to provide in combination therewith, ameans for reducing the noise incident to impact.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of an insert for a treadembodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of thesame; Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of a slightly modifiedconstruction; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of ourinvention; Fig. 5 is a vertical central section of the same; Fig. 6 isvertical central section of another embodiment of our invention; Fig. 7is a central vertical section of still another embodiment of ourinvention; Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of a heel of a shoe prepared toreceive the insert; Fig. 9 is a vertical central section of anotherembodiment of our invention; and Fig. 10 is still another embodiment ofour invention.

1 represents a shell constructed of any suitable hard wear resistingmetal, such for instance as steel, said shell being preferablycylindrical in cross section and tapered at the top as at 2, the top ofthe shell being closed by an end 3 as shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig.7, the shell may be provided with a barb 4 for the purpose of moresecurely anchoring the shell in its inserted position; while in Fig. 5,we have shown the top of a shell provided with a flat, more or lessflexible securing element 5. In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5,it will be noticed that the outer periphery of the shell is cut away, asat 6, providing a recess between the securing element 5 and a shoulder 7on the shell, into which the material of the tread may flow or beinserted, so as to provide a further locking means against the inwardaccidental dis- Speeification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. I6, 1913.

Serial No. 623,262.

placement of the insert whereby the outer edge of the insert ismaintained in proper alinement with the wearing face of the heel.

In Fig. 6, we have illustrated the upper end of the shell as beingprovided with an annular enlargement 7 and a recess 8, which cooperatewith the collar 9 to lock the insert in position.

The shell in each instance is filled with a soft non-resonant metal 3such as lead or an alloy, which is swaged into holding contact with thesteel shell, so that there is no danger of its becoming accidentallydisplaced from the shell.

We are aware that wear resisting inserts for treads consisting of steelor other hard metal and of steel and iron have been used, but these areobjectionable in that the steel inserts become smooth, thus increasingthe liability of slipping, besides which, they do not absorb the noiseincident to impact. The inserts consisting of steel and soft iron areobjectionable in that they become highly polished, thus increasing thetendency of slipping besides which, they do not absorb the noiseincident to impact on the tread.

By the use of our invention on treads, we not only reduce the liabilityof slipping, but we are enabled to absorb practically all of the noisedue to impact, thus producing in one and the same device, an anti-slipand antinoise insert for treads.

The constructions shown are equally well adapted for leather treads andrubber treads. In rubber treads, it would perhaps be better to mold theinsert shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, in the tread as the tread is beingformed. In molding the insert in a rubber heel, the top of the insertand the locking medium are positioned in such relative position withrespect to the upper and lower faces of the heel that the insert iscushioned on the upper portion of the body of the heel so that thecushioning efiect of a rubber heel is not destroyed in the use of ourinvention.

In inserting the inserts, for instance, those shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8 and7, it is our prac tice to drill a hole in the tread, of a diameter toinsure a neat driving fit between the outer wall of the shell and thewall of the hole in the treadthe friction between the shell and tread,due to the snug driving fit, being suiiicient to hold the insert againstaccidental displacement. In the construction shown in Fig. 7, the barb4, would, as will be constitutes a shock absorber.

readily understood, bite in the walls of the opening in the tread.

lVhile we have selected the heel of a shoe for the purpose ofillustrating the invention, it will, of course, be understood that theinsert is adapted for use in connection with treads in general.

The Word lead in the claims will be understood to be suiiicient toinclude not only lead, but other metals and alloys which areIlOIl-I'QSOIIZLIlt.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, is a steel tube in which a leadpacking 11 is swaged, the lead packing having an enlarged head 12 whichoverlaps the upper edge of the steel tube 10, thus providing a packingof lead for the steel tube, which In Fig. 1O, 18 is a steel or otherhard metal tube in which is swaged a lead plug 14 provided with anannular flange 15 at its top, said flange projecting beyond theperimeter of An anti slip and noise insert for treads,

comprising a steel tube and a lead insert in said tube flush with oneend of the tube and having an annular flange overhanging the other endof the tube and constituting a packing for the said tube.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of tWoWitnesses.

FRANK s. TUCKER. FRED M. LAXTON.

Witnesses:

BAXTER Ross J. S. RIGLES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. i

